Swimming paddles

ABSTRACT

A shaft has oppositely extending offset portions at opposite ends, each portion being connected to a corresponding flotation paddle. Straps secure the shaft rotatably to a user in water. The user, using hands or feet, rotates the shaft to move the paddles and propel himself in the water. The paddles are lighter than water and act as floats as well as assisting in propulsion.

United States Patent Inventor Melville J. G. Yuen 1707 Wilhemlmina Rise, Honolulu, Hawaii 96816 Appl. No. 863,931 Filed Oct. 6, 1969 Patented May 25, 1971 SWIMMING PADDLES 4 Claims, 6 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl 115/22.3, 416/86 Int. Cl B63h 16/04 Field ofSearch 115/223; 416/86, 84, 69, 70, 63

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,777,749 10/1930 Equiluz 115/223 2,416,471 2/1947 De Chappedelaine 1 15/223 Primary ExaminerAndrew l-l. Farrell ABSTRACT: A shaft has oppositely extending offset portions at opposite ends, each portion being connected to a corresponding flotation paddle. Straps secure the shaft rotatably to a user in water. The user, using hands or feet, rotates the shaft to move the paddles and propel himself in the water. The paddles are lighter than water and act as floats as well as assisting in propulsion.

Patented- May 25,1971

INVEN'IOR. MELV/LLE J 6. YuE/v SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a view of my apparatus in hand-operated use;

FIG. 2 is an end view of a paddle wheel;

FIG. 3 is a detail side view of my apparatus;

FIG. 4 is a view of my invention in foot-operated use;

FIG. 5 is a detail view of a portion of the structure of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 6 is a detail view of a portion of the structure of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to FIGS. 1-6, first and second hollow lighter than water paddle wheels 10 each have spaced-apart radially extending vanes or paddles 12. A horizontal shaft I4 has offset arms 16 extending inclinedly outward from opposite ends of the shaft, the anns extending in opposite directions. Each arm has a horizontal extension 18 terminating in a vertical tip 20 imbedded rigidly in the side of a corresponding wheel. A

sleeve 22 is rotatably disposed about each extension and is provided with a hand receiving strap 24 or a foot receiving strap 26.

The wheels provide enough lift when in water to prevent a user from sinking. By use of hands or feet, the user can rotate the shaft about its axis to rotate the wheels and propel himself through the water. The wheels can be inflatable if desired.

While I have described my invention with particular reference to the drawings, such is not to be considered as limiting its actual scope.

Having thus described this invention, what I claim as new is:

1. Apparatus used in swimming comprising:

a horizontal shaft;

first and second extension arms extending inclinedly outwards from opposite ends of said shaft in opposite directions;

handor foot-operated means secured to said arms to rotate said shaft about its axis; and

first and second lighter-than-water paddle wheels secured to corresponding arms and rotated with said shaft.

2. Apparatus as set forth in claim I wherein each arm has at an end remote from said shaft a horizontal extension with a vertical tip, each wheel being secured to a corresponding tip.

3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said means includes a first sleeve rotatable about the horizontal extension of one arm and a second sleeve rotatable about the horizontal extension of the other arm.

4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 3 further including a pair of handor foot-operated straps, each strap being secured to a corresponding sleeve. 

1. Apparatus used in swimming comprising: A HORIZONTAL SHAFT; FIRST AND SECOND EXTENSION ARMS EXTENDING INCLINEDLY OUTWARDS FROM OPPOSITE ENDS OF SAID SHAFT IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS; HAND- OR FOOT-OPERATED MEANS SECURED TO SAID ARMS TO ROTATE SAID SHAFT ABOUT ITS AXIS; AND FIRST AND SECOND LIGHTER-THAN-WATER PADDLE WHEELS SECURED TO CORRESPONDING ARMS AND ROTATED WITH SAID SHAFT.
 2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein each arm has at an end remote from said shaft a horizontal extension with a vertical tip, each wheel being secured to a corresponding tip.
 3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said means includes a first sleeve rotatable about the horizontal extension of one arm and a second sleeve rotatable about the horizontal extension of the other arm.
 4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 3 further including a pair of hand- or foot-operated straps, each strap being secured to a corresponding sleeve. 